Sammy Slabbinckhad a love for vintage magazines since he was a little boy… mainly with classic publications from his parents generation of the 50s to the 70s. He began collecting everything from TIME, to National Geographic and LIFE Magazine – and at one point, he decided to create his own form of surreal pop art collages with his extensive collection.

Slabbinck takes images from articles and advertisements, making humorous and stimulating collages. In his work he strives for what he calls “complex simplicity.” When asked about how he finds direction in composing his surreal pieces, he says:

“One image can create a process of association and then it comes down to finding the right images to combine. Structuring images is the hardest part of all. There is no real fixed strategy, it all boils down to a gut feeling I guess. Of course some compositions always work but I try not to repeat myself too much and try to find new ways to create a balance between different elements. Most laws of composition can not be ignored even in collages. Some collages are made instantly others take weeks before you find the right combination or balance.”

In many of his designs the Belgium based artist recreates environments that leave the viewer smiling and intrigued. Slabbinck hopes to bring back some of that “realness” as he describes that existed in mid century design. He has completed works for magazines and book covers and you can see more of his updated work on his tumblr or on his Facebook.

Shawn Saleme

Shawn Saleme is a full time writer for Visual News. Having traveled to over 50 countries, his international escapades continue to influence his writing and perspective. When not in a foreign territory, he makes his home in his native San Francisco Bay Area. Become friends with him on Facebook and invite him to share drinks and stories with you.